Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday said Canada is \u201cprepared to recognise the state of Palestine at the right time \u2014 not necessarily as the last step along the path.\u201d Trudeau\u2019s statement came in response to a challenge from New Democratic Party (NDP) MP and foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson in the House of Commons, as she urged him to \u201ctake a stand\u201d on the matter. \u201cWe urgently need to build a credible path towards lasting peace. We oppose efforts by the Netanyahu government to reject a two-state solution. At the same time, Hamas, a terrorist group, currently controls areas in Gaza and has not laid down its arms or released its hostages,\u201c Trudeau added. The debate in the House of Commons was sparked by recent decisions from Norway, Ireland, and Spain to recognise Pales\u00adtine, prompting Canadian lawmakers to discuss the issue. Several Liberal MPs have urged Prime Minister Trudeau to follow suit and the call within Canada\u2019s Parlia\u00adment for formal recognition of a Palestinian state is growing. Liberal MP Salma Zahid applauded the European countries\u2019 initiatives and emphasised that recognition should not be delayed due to ongoing disputes between Palestine and Israel. \u201cThe Palestinian people have the same right to self-determination as any other people. Canada is a supporter of a two-state solution, and it\u2019s time to take the next step in advancing that goal,\u201d Zahid stated. However, some within the Liberal Party advised caution. MP Anthony Housefather expressed concerns about recognising a Palestinian state while Hamas remains in control of Gaza. \u201cThere needs to be a negotiation involving the parties, and proper security guarantees for Israel before this can be contemplated,\u201d he said. The New Democratic Party (NDP) has also been vocal in advocating for immediate recognition of a Palestinian state. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says recognising Palestine is essential for progressing towards a two-state solution. Canada has shifted its policy on recognising a Palestinian state, now considering it before a comprehensive two-state solution is finalised. This change was marked by Canada\u2019s abstention from a recent United Nations vote on Palestinian statehood, diverging from its traditional alignment with the United States and Israel. Internationally, more than 140 of the 193 UN member countries recognise Palestine, though only a few European Union members have done so. Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed, have criticised the recent recognitions by Norway, Ireland, and Spain, arguing that such actions undermine Israel\u2019s right to self-defence and the efforts to resolve the hostage crisis. The latest escalation in the region, which began on October 7, 2023, following deadly attacks by Hamas fighters, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with the Palestinian Ministry of Health reporting at least 35,000 deaths in Gaza. The situation has led to severe humanitarian crises, including widespread hunger and shortages of medical supplies and fuel.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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